Thanksgiving in Maui: I'm Grateful for Superb Snorkeling and Fantastic Food

Snorkeling

If you like the idea of going on a boat ride and seeing Maui from the water, then I'd suggest booking a snorkeling tour. But, there really is no need! You will see amazing tropical fish and sea turtles at these spots starting in water that's up to your waist. Just rent equipment from a local spot or pack your own! Here are my favorite locations (and parking!), but the biggest tip is getting there early.

Kapalua Bay:

This was my favorite snorkeling spot from our trip in November 2024. Get here early (before 8am) to snag one of the few free beach access parking spots. Locate Merriman's restaurant in your Maps app and look for the signs for Beach Access. Walk down a few steps and along the paved trail to the entrance. You'll start to see colorful fish as soon as you are knee-deep in the water. Snorkeling is amazing to the rocks on the left and right of the bay. The left side can be a little calmer. Hopefully you'll get lucky like we did and see a rainbow appear across the entire bay!

Black Rock Beach:

This large beach is great for snorkeling, sunning and swimming. It is in front of the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, so that's best for navigating. Before you get to the roundabout at the Sheraton, there will be a parking garage on your left, with a sign that says Beach Parking. There are only about 10 spaces and they fill up early. From there, you'll walk along the public access trail to the beach that is to the right as you exit the parking garage. It is about a five-minute walk to the beach, and once there, you'll want to walk toward the large black rocks off to the right for the best snorkeling. The conditions are usually very clear and there are lots of sea creatures, but it can be very busy because of the proximity to the large resorts.

Honolua Bay:

This is a more remote location, north of Kapalua, and a very different vibe than the other snorkeling spots. A 10-minute walk through what feels like the jungle awaits to take you to the water from the road. Parking is available at a small trailhead and some along the windy road. Be sure to have chairs and watershoes for this location, as it is very rocky and not beachy at all. In the morning, it is very quiet and private, with more people arriving throughout the day via boat.

Napili Bay:

This bay is wider and has several snorkeling spot opportunities. Parking is a little more limited; we found a few spots near the beach access trail on Hui Drive. This is a great location for families, with waves, snorkeling spots and a large beach. It is a place where you can stay all day. I like it for the proximity to two restaurants with gorgeous views.

Restaurants for the best views:

• Sea House Restaurant: This laid-back restaurant is right on Napili Bay. I would recommend coming here for happy hour. The menu has several options at great prices and good portion sizes. I loved the crispy "cauliflower" wings and my husband enjoyed the ribs. Parking is available at the Napili Kai Beach Resort.

• Gazebo Restaurant: This is another laid-back restaurant on the other side of Napili Bay, but it is only open for breakfast and lunch. The views of the water are amazing and don't miss the macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup. After our meal, we walked out to the water and saw a sea turtle swimming in the shallow water at the rocks right in front of the restaurant! Parking is available within the Napili Shores condo complex.

• Mala Ocean Tavern: We had dinner on this waterfront restaurant right on the edge of Lahaina on Front Street. It reopened in early 2024 and is located in the area hardest hit by the devastating wildfires in 2023. The views from the restaurant are amazing and the food and drink menu had some great seasonal options. Parking is available in a lot to the right of the restaurant.

• Burger Shack Kapalua: This is a great, casual lunch spot to grab a bite or a drink and listen to the rhythmic sounds of the waves crashing on shore. It is a little more remote, located at D.T. Fleming Beach in Kapalua (FYI- a great spot for boogie boarding). Plenty of parking is available in lots nearby.

Restaurants with great vibes:

• Banyan Tree Kapalua: This was one of our "splurge" meals of the trip and it was so worth it. The restaurant is on the grounds of the Ritz Carlton Kapalua, with a beautiful walk on the property from the valet parking. We loved the natural vibe of the restaurant's decor and our everything we ordered was more flavorful and beautiful than we expected.

• Honoapiilani Food Truck Park: For a totally different vibe and to save a few bucks, we loved this food truck park not far from our hotel. It had 8-10 food trucks open for dinner, serving all types of cuisines, and plenty of seating options. I had drunken Thai rice and it was delicious. For dessert, consider walking to the Pineapple Robot in the strip mall across the street for a Dole Whip or a fun cocktail.